southbend clutch failure poll. (need for hw)

**audizz a4** · 03-19-2010 10:09 AM

how many of you guys have had bad experience with this company or any of there products?

please post a comment whether uve been lucky and its stayed strong or if it was a p.o.s for you

**itsmatt33** · 03-19-2010 10:24 AM

you should send this to both awe and southbend with hopes of a god damn recall or replacement for all of us.

"/ cant help but dream

**blackwat5r** · 03-19-2010 10:25 AM

I've had my sb stage 2 in for more than 40k and its been great; very strong and consistent

**BEESIX** · 03-19-2010 10:38 AM

sb ofess stage 3 in for almost 2 years now, had an issue similar to yours a few months ago but turned out it was shop error (fuckin hate renn art), they didnt change the flywheel bolts after they resurfaced my flywheel (manadatory our flywheel bolts are stretch torqued) and caused my flywheel to backout and break. thought it was the clutch and called sb. they were more than willing to help me out but it never needed to go that far the shop took care of it.

**audizz a4** · 03-19-2010 11:35 AM

Yea I had thEm replace the flywheel w a 12lb one, if I have to I'm going to do all I can to get this resolved. And if it comes to it I'd love to have the reviews of other people so if I do report to southbend then I'll have some resources to help back me up

**audizz a4** · 03-19-2010 03:51 PM

ttt

**Casius** · 03-19-2010 03:55 PM

I think I have a Stage 3 OFE haha I should really know since I put it in myself, but so far so good, probably around 10k (7500miles) on it

**LampyB** · 03-19-2010 07:20 PM

i was pretty sketched out about mine after about 12K miles. engagement point kept getting higher and higher until it was nearly nonexistant. used to make some louder noises as well. was not happy. i voted no because i sold the car before i saw the outcome.

**martini** · 03-20-2010 10:39 AM

I had mine just fine for a while... then it stopped dis-engaging. The throwout bearing went to shit. SEnt it to them, the checked it, tested it and sent it back with a new bearing.

**GreyGhost** · 03-20-2010 04:35 PM

OFE SS - 50-55 K miles, no problems. Pedal feel is pretty stiff tho

**A4twin** · 03-20-2010 04:42 PM

have about 15K on mine(stg IV i believe), it grabs really good, pedal feel is HARD, but been like thats since new the only thing i don't launch my car from a dead stop. don't want to break sh!t but i won't ever get this clutch again it's to damn hard(have messed up knees) during stop and go traffic.

**audizz a4** · 03-21-2010 09:51 AM

ttt

**dirtybrd** · 03-21-2010 01:46 PM

I have the DXD with an additional 800psi on the PP. Not issues other then the disc being hard on the flywheel and PP surfaces, but thats normal with the sintered copper disc it uses. Never slips, stiff pedal, but used to it. No issues or complaints from me!!!!!

**Jeff** · 03-21-2010 07:02 PM

I've been using South Bend products dating as far back as 2003. I was one of the first to test their OFE SS (Stage 4) clutches, and they've never done me wrong...and I became a South Bend dealer in 2004, and marketed their products on the Audi community. Personally, I've gone through almost a dozen South Bend clutches through the years (different cars, etc) and haven't had a problem. I've also sold a good number of their clutches to many AZ members, of which 2 had a problem with the recalled rivets that tore the linings apart. This problem only occurred for a short time frame, and the rivet issue was quickly resolved. However, South Bend was very proactive in taking care of my customers with minimum downtime.

No company makes a "perfect" product, but a "good" product is something that a company can stand behind and provide the after-sales support for it in case something goes wrong. And as products become more and more popular (with more dealers around to sell it), the chances of more "problems" will also arise. My personal recommendation in purchasing any OFE or FE product, is to ask for an UNMODIFIED pressure plate (especially the SS). With many dealers who are on a conquest to make more power, they often ask to have the clamp load and engagement point of the pressure plates to be modified (stiffer, lower engagement)....this opens a can of worms from what I've seen. Honestly, a ~2400lbs clamp load SS pressure plate is more than enough clamp load our cars will ever need.

**sean1.8t** · 03-21-2010 08:55 PM

2 SB clutch failures for me. one the disk fused on my OFE. the other time my FE's throw-out bearing mysteriously lost a peice, altering the stacking heighth enough to where the clutch wouldn't dis-engage. they said it was install error. not only did i install it myself and everything worked perfect, but this issue didn't happen until 10k miles down the road. ass holes made me pay for a new bearing.

i have a new clutch now and will never do business with SB again. they treated me like a noob on the phone and were just plain rude

**Sales@RAI** · 03-21-2010 09:20 PM

OFE SS here... Let me tell you, if you wanted someone to beat the hell out of a clutch in testing, I was a good candidate. My clutch lasted

1. Trans blowing up
2. Flywheel blowing up
3. 2 engine builds
4. 100+ launches (seriously)

**secnd2no1** · 03-21-2010 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by [email protected].

OFE SS here... Let me tell you, if you wanted someone to beat the hell out of a clutch in testing, I was a good candidate. My clutch lasted

1. Trans blowing up
2. Flywheel blowing up
3. 2 engine builds
4. 100+ launches (seriously)

Thats what i call BOOOM

**Wizard-of-OD** · 03-21-2010 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by audizz a4

how many of you guys have had bad experience with this company or any of there products?

None here
I have dealt with almost every single clutch company in North America including Exedy clutches...

The 2 best companies I have ever dealt with are South Bend & Clutch Masters.If there are issues a simple email and phone call to the owners of SB will take care of you no problems.

Whatever you do , do not get pissed and buy Spec :P

**QuattroRocket** · 03-21-2010 10:53 PM

Clutch is holding out better than my gears ! The clutch is rock solid but R, 1 and 2nd were just replaced in my tranny.

However I have never launched the car, not once ... so that might contribute to its longevity.

**favianjanitra** · 03-21-2010 10:59 PM

20K miles on my OFE SS.

It makes weird noises when accelrating from a stop after 10K miles.

bothers me a lot but I don't have enuff funds to get a new one.

i would go with FX300 in the future

**itsmatt33** · 03-21-2010 11:50 PM

^x2

**sean1.8t** · 03-22-2010 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by [email protected].

OFE SS here... Let me tell you, if you wanted someone to beat the hell out of a clutch in testing, I was a good candidate. My clutch lasted

1. Trans blowing up
2. Flywheel blowing up
3. 2 engine builds
4. 100+ launches (seriously)

all on the k03.

launched it yet with 400whp?

**secnd2no1** · 03-22-2010 12:34 PM

^^X3

**doublezero30** · 03-22-2010 03:43 PM

about 25k on my ofe ss and while the clutch is holding up fine, the throwout bearing they included has been junk since it was installed. makes a racket. also, the engagement point was F-ed up when first installed (which other people have also had a problem with) which cause me to have to power shift for the 1st 2k miles, and now my 1st gear makes aweful sounds if i dont drown it out with my exhaust.

**B6Lovin** · 03-23-2010 08:42 PM

blew up my pressure plate ring. hardcore. see my thread somewhere near this one.

but it took some serious abuse to do it. held up for a long time, froze it 7 or 8 times and broke it free each time without dropping hte trans.... hundreds of launches, lots of track trips, etc.

great clutch, crappy feel, didnt slip, did blow up. i'm neutral.... wouldn't buy another just because its not enough for my setup... wouldn't hesitate to steer someone this direction if it was what i felt he or she really needed for their car.

**BNZ TOY** · 03-23-2010 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by favianjanitra

20K miles on my OFE SS.

It makes weird noises when accelrating from a stop after 10K miles.

bothers me a lot but I don't have enuff funds to get a new one.

i would go with FX300 in the future

I"m keeping an eye out for a good deal on the FX300, let me know if you find a deal and I'll let you know if i do.

**gmx** · 03-23-2010 10:47 PM

F'ed up so bad.
Had no remorse slipping it this much so you can clearly hear it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUODnE2HLIc
Would happen all the time low rpm shifts/starting out in 1st. Changed over to CM300, no issues...

**n7plus1** · 03-24-2010 05:09 AM

ofe ss stage3 no issues, cars a DD, never really launched or will be.

**-Audi_tuning-** · 03-24-2010 07:44 AM

I have a stage 3 sb clutch and while I like it the engagement point keeps getting higher and higher on my pedal and sometimes you cant feel it at all... still engages fine so eh, I guess its all good... Beaten for 25k and it hasnt failed me yet but I dont think Id buy another one from em...

***Blue-Angel*** · 04-06-2010 05:51 PM

Im in the process of fighting myself between SB and clutchmasters. I dont know which way to go. Ive never dealt with SB and I have a clutchmasters now in my other car and its held up perfectly. Engagement is the same as it was when I put it on, it grips awesomely. No complaints at all really.

**secnd2no1** · 04-06-2010 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by *Blue-Angel*

Im in the process of fighting myself between SB and clutchmasters. I dont know which way to go. Ive never dealt with SB and I have a clutchmasters now in my other car and its held up perfectly. Engagement is the same as it was when I put it on, it grips awesomely. No complaints at all really.

Please dont fight yourself go with what works CLUTCHMASTERS its an Awesome clutch stay away from SB and potential problems

**sean1.8t** · 04-06-2010 08:28 PM

Originally Posted by *Blue-Angel*

Im in the process of fighting myself between SB and clutchmasters. I dont know which way to go. Ive never dealt with SB and I have a clutchmasters now in my other car and its held up perfectly. Engagement is the same as it was when I put it on, it grips awesomely. No complaints at all really.

why the hell are you "fighting" yourself?

you just answered your own question. go CM

***Blue-Angel*** · 04-10-2010 06:55 PM

Because you hear so much about all these manufacturers making a shit product and whats good here and whats bad. Whose clutch fails and whose doesn't. There doesn't seem to be any consistency anywhere.

**sean1.8t** · 04-10-2010 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by *Blue-Angel*

Because you hear so much about all these manufacturers making a shit product and whats good here and whats bad. Whose clutch fails and whose doesn't. There doesn't seem to be any consistency anywhere.

i've never heard of anyone having anything bad to say about their CM clutch. only good things

**a4darkness** · 04-10-2010 08:21 PM

CM 240mm FX300 here. Excellent product! Very happy with it.

(click on My Threads below to find my review if you're interested)

Side note, fairly sure Ringer is still running specials on pricing.